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Netanyahu hits back at Starmer over Gaza military offensive

20 May 2025 4 minute read
Official Portrait of Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Photo Avi Ohayon is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Sir Keir Starmer of offering Hamas a “huge prize” after the UK Prime Minister and allies called for an end to military operations in Gaza.

Sir Keir, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government’s “egregious” actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take “concrete actions” unless Mr Netanyahu changes course.

But the Israeli prime minister said his country would press on for “total victory” over Hamas.

“Disproportionate”

In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”

The leaders called on Hamas to release the hostages it took in the “heinous attack” on October 7 2023.

“We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism,” the three leaders said.

“But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.”

Mr Netanyahu hit back, saying: “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.”

He added: “The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised.

“No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t.

“This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”

Aid

The UN’s humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher – a former British diplomat – said nine aid trucks were cleared to enter after Israel’s blockade was lifted, “but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed”.

“Our expectations for today’s crossings are realistic: given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,” he warned.

Israeli strikes overnight and into Tuesday have killed at least 60 people across the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has launched another major offensive in the territory in recent days, saying it aims to return dozens of hostages held by Hamas and destroy the militant group.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began allowing a small number of aid trucks into Gaza for the first time in more than two months, saying he had been pressured to lift a blockade on the territory’s two million Palestinians that had sparked fears of famine.

But UN agencies said the handful of trucks that entered were nowhere near enough to meet the massive need for food, medicine and other supplies. Some 600 trucks a day had entered during a ceasefire earlier this year.

Two strikes in northern Gaza hit a family home and a school-turned-shelter, killing at least 22 people, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

A strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah killed 13 people, and another in the nearby built-up Nuseirat refugee camp killed 15, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Two strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis killed 10 people, according to Nasser Hospital.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which says it only targets militants and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because the group operates in densely populated areas.


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Jeff
Jeff
25 days ago

Wanted person there.

Last edited 25 days ago by Jeff
John Brooks
John Brooks
25 days ago

War Criminal.

Brad
Brad
25 days ago

>> “The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised.” No reasonable person can object to these demands. Unfortunately it doesn’t solve the problem. Israel should also be engaging in a hearts and minds war with Hamas. When they bomb a hospital or school Israel should rebuild it without the tunnels. When food and other essential supplies are disrupted, Israel should provide the supplies. Hamas would then start disrupting these initiatives. When ordinary Palestinians see food and health care destroyed by Hamas their support… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
25 days ago
Reply to  Brad

Maybe don’t bomb a hospital murdering people. Maybe don’t target doctors with drones and destroy equipment used to save lives maybe stop murdering the press and emergency responders.

This Isreal government is complicit in war crimes. This is a genocide.

Brad
Brad
25 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

Maybe don’t embed militants in civilan areas to intentionally create mass civilian casualties.

Jeff
Jeff
25 days ago
Reply to  Brad

All what I said.
War crimes.
Hamas are no better and deserve to be on the same charge.

Brad
Brad
25 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

What to do instead? Let them operate freely amongst the civilian population?

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
25 days ago
Reply to  Brad

Remember, Israel created Hamas. They bypassed the PLO in favour of funding direct Gaza with the intention of divide and conquer.

Brad
Brad
25 days ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

So why do more than a third of Palestinians support them?

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
25 days ago

‘The Awakening’…

Lemmy and Clark (without Red Sonia, very quiet the last 6 months) smell the Coffee…

There was a long delay, it needs explaining…!@Lemmy not Lammy

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
25 days ago

This mass murderer doth protest. My hope is that Benjamin Netanyahu is tried in the Hague for crimes against humanity and the genocide of the Palestinian people. He is a monster.

adopted cardi
adopted cardi
25 days ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

i’d say waive the trial – just hand netnyhu straight over to the Palestinians to do what they will. Along withTrump, Starmer, Genocide Joe and all the rest of them too.
If only.

Garycymru
Garycymru
24 days ago
Reply to  adopted cardi

We can wish.

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